New 127 format film for Baby-Rolleiflex, Yashica 44

[HHPhoto]

Hi,

there are some good news for users of 127 format Baby-Rolleiflex, Yashica 44 and other classic 127 cameras.
4 (!) new 127 format films are available from Rollei-Film, Germany:

Rollei Retro 80S (that is Agfa-Gevaert Aviphot Pan 80, current production from Agfa-Gevaert, Belgium).

Rollei Crossbird (that is Rollei Digibase CR 200 = Agfa-Gevaert Aviphot Chrome = original Agfa RSX II 200 emulsion coated on PET base).
With this film the "Super-Slide" is back. 4x4 slides can be projected in every normal 35mm projector.
This film is also for photographers who like cross-processing in C-41, because this emulsion (Agfa RSX II 200) is quite popular among crossers.

Rollei Redbird: Film with ISO 400/27° for redscale photography.

Rollei Nightbird: Film with ISO 800/30° for redscale photography.

My own experiences with Rollei Retro 80S:

I have tested this film intensively over the last months (so far only in 35mm). My results:

Positive:

+ Extremely fine grain: It is the finest grain film in its speed class, grain is significantly finer than even T-Max 100 and Acros 100. I have used different developers, and even in developers which give coarser grain like Rodinal, RHS/Amaloco AM 74, Spur SD 2525, the grain of Rollei Retro 80S is finer than TMX and Acros developed in fine grain developers like Perceptol and Spur HRX-3.
I have tested it again and again: This film with classic cubic crystal technology has finer grain than films with T-grain, Delta or Sigma (Fuji) crystal technology.
In 35mm I got grain similar to 6x6 Fp4 + or 4,5x6 APX 100.
I am using this film in 35mm for some photographic needs where I have used 120 film in the past.

+ Excellent resolution: Resolution is on paar with TMX and Delta 100 (I have got up to 150 Lp/mm with my Zeiss lenses), and a bit better than Pan F+ and Acros 100.

+ Excellent sharpness: On paar with TMX and Delta 100.

+ In 35mm the film is drying absolute flat, no curl at all.

+ Extended red sensivity: With red filter you can cut through haze and get excellent detail in landscape photography (here you see that this film is Agfa-Gevaert Aviphot Pan 80 aerial film; in aerial photography you need this feature):
Furthermore with IR filters IR photography with very good results is possible. You get a complete different look, because with this film you can make extremely fine grained, sharp high resolution IR photographs. Complete different look to HIE and Efke IR film.

+ Excellent smooth, light skin tones in portrait photography (due to extended red sensivity and the extremely fine grain).

+ Clear base: Excellent for reversal processing.

+ PET base: Best long term stability, excellent for archival purpose.

+ Available in 135, 127 (!) and 120 format.

+ Attractive price (at least here in Germany, check for your country).

Negative:

- Exposure latitude is a bit smaller than TMX, Delta 100 or Acros 100.

- Loading in subdued light is recommended because of the clear PET base.

Result: This film is outstanding, one of the best and most versatile films on the market. Available in 135, 127, 120.
Highly recommended.

Cheers,
Jan

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Do you have some photos from this film posted on a website? Perhaps comparison to Tri-X?

 

[batterytypehah!]

Not entirely news. These films have been available from macodirect.de for a while.

As someone who actually shoots 127, I'm not impressed. Price per roll is almost 9 euros, plus shipping. (Minimum order 49.50 euros!)

This works out to over $1 per shot in 4x4 (12 exp./roll) even at the current exchange rate. Thanks, but if I wanted to spend that kind of money, why not try instant or 4x5.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Yeah. Cost is a factor - except for artists, I'm told.

 

[ZeissFan]

It's always nice to have new films for 127. I'm itching to try some of the Rollei Retro 80S.

 

[Harry Lime]

What I want to know is when 126 film will make a comeback... I gotta feed this monster: 🙂

Brilliant. That was my first camera. I think I still have it somewhere...

 

[Mr_Flibble]

At the price mentioned above, I'll stick with efke for a little while longer 🙁

 

[HHPhoto]

Not entirely news. These films have been available from macodirect.de for a while.

As someone who actually shoots 127, I'm not impressed. Price per roll is almost 9 euros, plus shipping. (Minimum order 49.50 euros!)

This works out to over $1 per shot in 4x4 (12 exp./roll) even at the current exchange rate. Thanks, but if I wanted to spend that kind of money, why not try instant or 4x5.

The color films are a bit pricey compared to Efke R100 BW in 127.
But not the Rollei Retro 80S in 127, which is even cheaper.

Prices from macodirekt:

Efke R100 single roll: 5,32 €
10 films: 48,20 €

Rollei Retro 80S 127 single roll: 4,95 €
10 films: 44,55 €
20 films: 79,16 €

I think that are very reasonable and attractive prices.

Maco/Rollei-Film is cooperating with Fotokemika Nova (Efke) for the cutting and packing of these 127 films. It is made by Fotokemika for Rollei-Film.
Fotokemika is the only company in Europe which can do 127 film converting.
The cutting and packing is completely made by hand (and has a social factor as well, because Fotokemika has hired handicapped / blind people for this manufacturing to support them).
No automatic machines are involved.

It is hand made "niche in the niche" production.

Therefore it is impossible to get such low prices as Kodak, Ilford or Fuji can achieve with fully automatic 120 film converting.

It would be very unfair to criticise bigger companies like Kodak for discontinuing niche production items, and at the same time criticise niche producers for a bit higher prices when they start hand made small niche production runs.

I think it is very good news that in 127 format, which was almost dead, now a much better variety of films is available. Who had imagined that one year ago??

Best regards, Jan

 

[Paul T.]

Jan, thanks for all the information and good sense you've contributed here over the last few weeks - seemingly the lone sane voice, standing up against the professional nay-sayers and doom-mongers !

THat said, you've started me looking at Baby Rolleis again... maybe that's not a good thing...

 

[batterytypehah!]

The color films are a bit pricey compared to Efke R100 BW in 127.
But not the Rollei Retro 80S in 127, which is even cheaper.

Prices from macodirekt:

Efke R100 single roll: 5,32 €
10 films: 48,20 €

Rollei Retro 80S 127 single roll: 4,95 €
10 films: 44,55 €
20 films: 79,16 €

I think that are very reasonable and attractive prices.

Not if you're in the USA. Efke 100 is $4.95 plus shipping from B&H, and who knows for how long. (It is priced higher elsewhere.) This is as good as it gets for 127. In 120 format, that buys a roll of Delta 3200.

Freestyle carries Retro 80s in 127, at $7.99 plus shipping, or 67 cents per shot in 4x4. I have a Sawyer's Mk IV but I'd have to be nuts to buy 127 when the same film in 120 is $4.99. Why not shoot 6x4.5? (And crop, if you must have a square.) Costs exactly half per shot. Or, inversely, shoot 6x9 for the same cost.

I appreciate that it's a niche product and all that. But they're competing against people cutting down 120 at home.

 

[Muggins]

Hmmm. While it's nice to read about all sorts of fun film formats for 127, given the quality of my 127 collection I might be sticking to the cheapest. I have three Purmas - a Speed, a Special and a Plus - a Kodak Baby Brownie Special, a No 0 Brownie and the crummiest of the lot:
http://kodak.3106.net/index.php?p=214&cam=1234

That little tiddler seems to have a portrait lens on the front but without a bulb setting I'm going to have fun trying to work out where it is in focus without burning a film. And yes, it has no proper viewfinder... Just the thing for using expensive and fancy film in, don't you think?😎

 

[portocar]

Does anyone know where to find 127 Slide Film Mounts? I think they are called "Superslide" mounts.

 

[Gumby]

Interestingly, after many years of not hearing any interest in superslides... there's a guy asking the same question over on photo.net. You might want to visit that site and see the great answers he is getting.

 

[HHPhoto]

Does anyone know where to find 127 Slide Film Mounts? I think they are called "Superslide" mounts.

Gepe for example has manufactured Superslide mounts. They can be used in 35mm projectors, because their outer dimension is 5cm x 5cm, which is identical to 35mm slide mounts.
If you can't find them new, you will find them used.

Superslides are stunning!

Cheers, Jan